Live updates: US and Iran continue to trade strikes

The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces announced that the country's air defense systems are active and intercepting UAVs and missiles launched from Iranian territory.

The military statement noted that the sound of explosions heard in various parts of the country is the result of interception operations as air defenses engage incoming threats in Kuwaiti airspace.

Iranian state television reported that US airstrikes over the past 24 hours targeted military sites across six provinces, with the heaviest strikes hitting Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the operational headquarters of the Iranian army, on Tuesday warned the US against striking Iran's nuclear facilities.

“It is made clear that should the invading and terrorist forces of that nation take such a step, it will be regarded as an escalation of conflict across the region," it said in a statement quoted by IRNA news agency.

“In that event, all US assets, along with those of its allies and backers, will be subject to a decisive strike by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces," the statement added.

The warning followed comments from US President Donald Trump, who vowed to hit any nuclear site that the Iranian regime seeks to reconstitute.

"How about these people? They're in this because of nuclear weapons, and they're trying to possibly reconstitute a site? We'll hit that site. Any site where they're even thinking about nuclear - we'll be hitting it very, very powerfully," Trump said during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House.

Trump’s comments were made after The Wall Street Journal reported on Israeli intelligence assessments indicating that Iran relocated thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges to a deep underground facility inside Pickaxe Mountain last autumn.

The report noted that these findings were shared with the United States and indicated that the transfer took place following the June 2025 war, during which Israeli and US strikes targeted Iran’s three primary nuclear sites.

US President Donald Trump condemned the execution of a protester by the Iranian regime, accusing the regime of being "savages."

"The latest one of 52,000 plus, innocent protesters. Savages!!! When will the Dumocrats wake up??? President DJT," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in response to a report on the execution of Gol Mohammad Mohammadi.

Mohammadi, a 23-year-old Afghan national, was executed at the Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan on Sunday, according to the Mizan News Agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian regime. Erfan Esfandiari, a 19-year-old protester, was executed together with Mohammadi.

The Freedom House organization condemned the execution and warned that ten more protesters were slated for execution yesterday.

President Trump's condemnation referenced the mass slaughter of protesters by Iranian regime forces in January. Estimates of the death toll from the killings of protesters are in the tens of thousands.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said at the Katif Conference on Tuesday that the State of Israel currently has no interest in joining the campaign against Iran.

According to Smotrich, the current situation of a limited confrontation between Iran and the United States is "the most correct and best" situation as far as Israel is concerned.

Smotrich said that Israel's ultimate goal is to "undermine and weaken the regime until iit falls." He added that Israel can not come to terms with a regime that, according to him, aims to destroy Israel and works toward that goal.

He claimed that the best way to bring about the regime's demise is through economic pressure. He said that "we need to crush it economically," and noted that the reinstatement of President Trump's blockade helps with that.

He stressed that "we have to say that we are prepared for any scenario. The IDF is ready, and if the Iranians make the mistake and shoot at us, they will, of course, be sorry for it and will meet a very strong, determined, and powerful response."

The minister added that "we are a political echelon's decision away from sending the Air Force on a Saturday trip, an afternoon trip, to the skies above Iran with full freedom of operation and strike capabilities."

Smotrich presented figures according to which Iran is experiencing 85% inflation, food inflation of more than 134% within four months, and an exchange rate of 1.9 million rials per dollar. According to him, “the current situation is good for us, and we have no interest in pushing ourselves in."

Later in his remarks, he addressed the attacks against IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, "I strongly disagree with the negative comments that have been made about him recently. Unfortunately, by people who consider themselves part of our camp as well. You have to thank the Chief of Staff, IDF commanders, soldiers, pilots, and intelligence service members. We have the best nation in the world."

The Lebanese Armed Forces announced on Tuesday that its troops have begun deploying in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon after the IDF withdrew. The LAF called on citizens not to head to the town until the security situation stabilizes, and to adhere to the directives of the deployed military units to preserve their safety.

The move is part of the implementation of the pilot program deal between Israel and Lebanon, with US support. The IDF announced on Monday that the “Safe Zone" pilot program began in southern Lebanon, in cooperation with the US military (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The IDF stated that as part of the pilot, teams from the IDF, the US military, and the Lebanese Armed Forces are conducting coordination and planning for the continued implementation of the agreement. The IDF stressed that it will respond forcefully to any violation of the agreement.

A military official stated that the IDF is redeploying in one of the pilot areas to enable the LAF to carry out its mission, while maintaining the troops' security, the right to self-defense, and the removal of threats.

According to the official, this is a test of the LAF's sovereignty in the three pilot villages, as the only official entity authorized to possess weapons in the area.

It was further reported that the final process has not yet been determined, and that in the event of violations by Hezbollah, the IDF will act through a coordination mechanism mediated by the US government.

The source added that the pilot program will be accompanied by an American oversight mechanism aimed at advancing the disarmament of Hezbollah from its illegal weapons, and that Israel will continue to hold the security zone for as long as necessary to protect northern communities and maintain freedom of action to remove threats.

UKMTO has received a report of an incident 17NM east of Dibba, United Arab Emirates. The Master of a vessel reports being struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the steering gear. All the crew is reported as safe. There is no environmental impact. Authorities are investigating.

Islamic Republic News Agency reported, citing authorities in Abadan in the country's southwest, that US missiles struck a civilian site located outside the city.

According to the official statement from local authorities, no casualties were reported in the incident.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Monday night that it had completed another round of strikes against Iran.

“US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz," said CENTCOM.

The statement added that commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue. CENTCOM also stated that, since early May, its forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.

“American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait," the statement concluded.

CENTCOM earlier announced that US forces began a new round of strikes against Iran, the tenth consecutive night that US forces have struck targets in Iran.

"The strikes are designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," it said.

Prior to the announcement, Iranian media reported of explosions in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik.

Subsequent reports said that air defense systems had been activated near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Explosions were also reported in Isfahan.

Meanwhile, sirens sounded in Kuwait following the launch of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Iran. The Kuwaiti Armed Forces confirmed that the country's air defense systems were fully activated and are actively working to intercept the incoming threats in its airspace.

The Iranian Armed Forces later claimed that they launched a salvo of surface-to-surface missiles at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, directly targeting mobile HIMARS missile systems belonging to the US military.

The report was carried by Iranian media, which described the US asset as a "mobile missile system capable of maneuvering and rapidly striking ground targets, the destruction of which disrupts the enemy's offensive and defensive capabilities."

Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that two oil tankers were struck and caught fire following explosions as they attempted to cross the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials claimed the vessels had navigated an unauthorized and dangerous route due to "misleading instructions" from the US military.

In an official statement published by the IRGC Navy in Iranian media, a further warning was issued to international shipping companies: "We once again urge shipping companies not to rely on false information from the US military and to refrain from transiting dangerous and contaminated routes." Iranian authorities reiterated that they will not guarantee safe passage through routes that have not been approved by them.

Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran not to kill additional US servicemembers.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump declared.

He noted that the directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and "every Leader in the Military."

On Monday morning, CENTCOM announced that it had successfully completed the ninth consecutive evening of strikes against Iran.

“CENTCOM assets targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks to further diminish Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," it said.

The statement further noted, “The US military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief's direction. CENTCOM forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready."

Close to 100 American service members have sustained varying degrees of injury since July 7, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed in a post on social media on Monday.

The statement served to counter a report by The New York Times alleging that defense officials withheld information regarding dozens of U.S. casualties resulting from the conflict with Iran.

“While nearly 100 service members were deemed to have some degree of injury since July 7, 2026, 96% have returned to duty. They are determined to get back in the fight. The vast majority of injuries experienced were minor concussions," Parnell said.

The reporting indicated that a wave of strikes preceded a fatal incident last Saturday, which left two US soldiers dead and another unaccounted for in the region.

Multiple military helicopters also incurred physical damage during several attacks last week - details that had not been previously disclosed to the public.

Addressing the reporting timeline, a US military official clarified that standing protocols do not require US Central Command to publicly announce non-fatal injuries as long as those personnel have fully resumed their duties.

Responding to a Monday afternoon CNN report noting a delay in military disclosures, Parnell explained that withholding real-time casualty updates is an operational strategy designed to safeguard the more than 50,000 American troops deployed across the Middle East.

“Providing real-time information on non-fatal casualties to the media is the same as providing that information directly to our adversaries, which could put even more service members at risk with access to that quick information," Parnell said in a statement.

Iran relocated thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges to a deep underground facility inside Pickaxe Mountain last autumn, according to an Israeli intelligence assessment cited in a Wall Street Journal report on Monday, citing Israeli and American officials.

The report noted that these findings were shared with the United States and indicated that the transfer took place following the June 2025 war, during which Israeli and US strikes targeted Iran’s three primary nuclear sites.

An Israeli military official familiar with the strike operations expressed concern that the airstrikes during that campaign did not sufficiently target facilities tied to nuclear weapons development, telling WSJ that there is still work to be done, including at Pickaxe Mountain.

According to the report, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attempted to convince President Donald Trump to resume large-scale strikes in Iran to disrupt Tehran's nuclear program and reconstruction efforts.

The US has intensified its strikes over the past ten days, with Trump indicating that Washington is prepared to strike Pickaxe Mountain, a facility located about a mile south of Natanz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not respond to requests for comment. The White House referred to interviews given by the president on the matter last week.

In one particular interview, with host Hugh Hewitt, the President hinted that Pickaxe Mountain is a possible target.

“Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right in the front door. And I think that maybe you'll see that," he said.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said on Monday that a tanker had been hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred eight nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO," the British shipping monitor said in its report.

US President Donald Trump is set to decide within days whether to order an expansion of military strikes against Iran and resume broad combat operations, according to senior US officials speaking to Fox News on Monday.

Officials emphasized that no final determination has been issued by the White House.

Should the administration greenlight a full-scale offensive, the resulting operation would be "far more intense and extensive" than the nine consecutive nights of targeted strikes that began July 7, which primarily hit Iranian military assets near the Strait of Hormuz.

An official noted that American forces have so far avoided striking locations around Tehran or targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

"That could change if there is a return to full-scale war operations," the official said.

Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported that US Central Command (CENTCOM) is poised to bolster its regional force structure by bringing in additional tactical aircraft - including F-16 and F-35 fighters - alongside KC-135 aerial refueling tankers to support any decision to broaden strikes.

Officials confirmed that initial military deployments into the Middle East are already underway, describing the movements as preliminary repositioning while leadership awaits formal orders.

"That is some of the movement that is occurring, but it is preparatory ahead of a final decision," the official said.

As part of those adjustments, aerial refueling aircraft are being moved to Israel from other regional locations. Officials noted that basing refuelers at Israeli military airfields offers enhanced security compared to bases in Persian Gulf nations if full-scale combat resumes and Israeli forces join the air operation.

"All of that is being discussed and debated right now," the official said, adding that Israel would likely participate "if Trump decides to significantly widen the war."

"All of that is being discussed and debated right now," the official said, adding that Israel would likely participate "if Trump decides to significantly widen the war."

Meanwhile, the US Army continued striking targets in Iran on Monday, marking the tenth consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets.

Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran not to kill additional US servicemembers.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump declared.

He noted that the directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and "every Leader in the Military."

The Iranian Fars News Agency reported that explosions were heard in the area of ​​the port city of Sirik, located on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center says it has received a report from military authorities that a vessel is on fire in the Strait of Hormuz 8NM northwest of Kumzar, Oman. UKMTO has classified the incident as an Attack. The CSO has confirmed the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile. The crew safely abandoned the vessel and have been recovered by a tug boat. The fire has not been extinguished and the vessel is currently adrift. There is no reported environmental impact.

US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stern warning to Iran not to kill additional US servicemembers.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump declared.

He noted that the directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and "every Leader in the Military."

On Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two US service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on Friday. After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.

Separately, a US service member in northern Iraq was killed in action on Saturday during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone. A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for a minor injury.

US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran following the deaths of US servicemembers as a result of Iranian attacks.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over! This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military," Trump stated.

Read more.

Knesset Member Amit Halevi (Likud), a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, has harsh criticism for the IDF's rules of engagement in Lebanon. Speaking with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, Halevi says the current procedure does not reflect the political echelon's policies, impedes the forces' operational abilities, and endangers their lives.

Halevi opens his remarks with a claim he calls "most shocking. He says that within the security zone, IDF soldiers have to clear terrorists out of areas on foot, but do not receive authorization to conduct artillery strikes before entering homes and alleyways. "The military directive is not to conduct precautionary bombardments. It is immoral and unacceptable," he stated.

Halevi mentions an incident where an IDF officer was wounded on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil after the commander of the force asked to carry out a precautionary strike before the troops entered, but was refused. He claims that the directive against precautionary strikes comes from higher ranks, although he believes the decision must change.

According to Halevi, another shortcoming concerns the manner in which threats that develop beyond the yellow line are treated. He asserts that when elimination requests are sent to the Air Force, the decision is delayed for several minutes, during which the terrorists manage to flee. However, if the decision had been at the brigade level, the elimination would have been completed on time.

He says that this policy returns the military to pre-October 7th procedures. "These procedures must change," he said, adding that in one case, two soldiers fell a day after a terror cell was identified in the area because the authorization to eliminate them came too late.

Halevi says that his information came from officials operating in all brigades in the north. "These statistics are known to the IDF. There is nothing here that is imprecise or unknown. We have to change the directives. When there is a threat to our troops, we shouldn't delay and not carry out a roof-knocking procedure," he stated.

He also mentioned an incident that he brought to the Chief of Staff. "They saw ten terrorists getting ready in a house in one of the villages, and instead of taking down the house, they returned to the 'roof-knocking' procedures, even though there were no civilians in the building, even though they had to destroy the building anyway. All this was not done," he claimed.

Halevi places responsibility for the current policy on the IDF Chief of Staff. “The Chief of Staff has one role: victory. He must ensure that soldiers conduct themselves in this manner and that when there is a diplomatic opportunity, he will be able to lead toward a decisive outcome and victory. Today, the procedures are concerning because, based on reports I am receiving from almost all the brigades operating in the north, I identify a weakening and deterioration in the use of fire. We must return to a wartime posture."

According to Halevi, in addition to his appeal to the Chief of Staff, he also contacted the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and requested that committee members convene despite the Knesset recess. “It is the committee’s duty, especially in days like these, to convene. We will sit together to prepare for such a meeting in which we will demand clear answers from the IDF," he said.

Likud MK Moshe Saada said in an interview that many in the party believe the upcoming leadership primaries could be canceled due to conflict with Iran.

In such a scenario, as determined by the party's Constitution Committee, a committee would be appointed to determine the party's candidate list.

"None of us wants a war in the middle of August, but the State of Israel is in a complex situation, and more important right now is the country's security," Saada said in an interview with 103FM Radio.

"The working assumption is that there will be an event involving Iran this week. You hear the voices, you see the military buildup and the refueling aircraft arriving. The assumption is that it will happen, and the question is whether it will spill over into Israel. At the moment it isn't spilling over, because Iran is deterred. It is firing missiles at Jordan and is very afraid of Israel."

Addressing the composition of the Likud's slate, he said, "The Prime Minister wanted reserved slots and got them. That allows him to shape the list as he sees fit. In a selection committee, every minister or MK will say they would have ranked higher in the primaries. Think how many disappointed people there will be if there's a committee. In contrast, a primary involves more than 145,000 voters. I believe Likud members are looking for ideological candidates who fight professionally on their behalf, and I think that could earn me a high place on the list."

According to Saada, "The primaries will bring significant change because Likud members will choose ideological and professional MKs who fight for them."

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) creditedits strikes on US forces in Jordan to intelligence from locals and soldiers.

"We thank the residents of Jordan and the soldiers of the Jordanian Army for their cooperation and the precise intelligence you provided, which enabled the precise targeting and destruction of 20 buildings in the area of Al-Azraq Air Base where US soldiers were stationed."

According to the IRGC statement, the attack, which targeted logistical facilities used by US forces operating in the region, was carried out using drones and missiles.

On Sunday, reports said that Jordanian authorities evacuated Aqaba's international airport and seaport, located near Eilat. The US Embassy in Jordan said the evacuation was carried out due to a "credible and specific threat."

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has adapted its tactics to overcome US air defense systems. US officials said Iran's ability to strike sensitive targets has raised concerns that it may be receiving intelligence support and targeting assistance from China or Russia.

Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain on Monday morning for the third time since last night, following a salvo of missiles and drones launched by Iran toward the country and other targets in the Gulf region.

Concurrently, local air defense systems were activated to intercept the incoming threats.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Army had hit Iran “very hard" as US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it launched strikes on the Islamic Republic for the ninth consecutive night.

Speaking to reporters after attending the World Cup final, Trump said, “Iran has been very, very badly damaged. They've lost everything, almost, militarily. They've got very little left. They've got some missiles. They've got some drones. They've got some manufacturing ability, not much."

He continued, “We control the strait. They don't control anything. So, we'll see what happens."

Trump then added, “But we hit them very hard again tonight. And we did that in honor of the probably three - it's probably three, as opposed to two - great patriots", referring to two US troops who were killed in Jordan over the weekend and the announcement that a third US soldier was killed in northern Iraq during a controlled explosion.

Trump also stated, “What we're doing now is we're ending any chance where they can have a nuclear missile. If you look at it, after a week and a half, not four weeks, we stopped them from ‘probably,’ but I don't want to have the word ‘probably.’"

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution with Iran despite the ongoing strikes.

CENTCOM announced earlier that it began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran.

"The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," said CENTCOM.

Iranian media outlets reported a wave of American strikes in the city of Tabriz, located in the northwestern part of the country.

Concurrently, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that powerful blasts and multiple explosions were heard in Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini - two major, strategic port cities situated along the coast of the Persian Gulf in southwestern Iran.

On Sunday morning, CENTCOM announced that its forces completed an eighth consecutive round of strikes against Iran at the direction of US President Donald Trump.

Those strikes came after CENTCOM stated that two US service members in Jordan were killed in action on Friday as the US and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing.

Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals, CENTCOM added. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Monday morning that it had successfully completed the ninth consecutive evening of strikes against Iran.

“CENTCOM assets targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks to further diminish Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," it said.

The statement further noted, “The US military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief's direction. CENTCOM forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready."

CENTCOM initially announced that the new wave of strikes against Iran were launched at 7:00 p.m. ET (2:00 a.m. Israel time).

"The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," said CENTCOM.

Iranian media outlets reported a wave of American strikes in the city of Tabriz, located in the northwestern part of the country.

Concurrently, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that powerful blasts and multiple explosions were heard in Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini - two major, strategic port cities situated along the coast of the Persian Gulf in southwestern Iran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced later that it attacked two oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian claims, the strike was executed after the vessels veered off course and failed to stick to the agreed-upon route set by Iranian authorities in the strait.

In its statement, the IRGC issued a direct threat toward Washington, warning that the United States should expect "punishment" in response to its actions in the region.

In an earlier statement, CENTCOM said that as of Sunday, it has redirected six commercial vessels and disabled one to ensure full compliance with the naval blockade against Iran.

Shortly before the US announcement on the latest strikes, sirens were sounded in Kuwait. The Kuwait Army later stated that "Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting attacks by hostile drones, following the sinful Iranian aggression."

On Sunday morning, CENTCOM announced that its forces completed an eighth consecutive round of strikes against Iran at the direction of US President Donald Trump.

"During the eighth consecutive night of US strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities," the statement said.

It further added that American military assets also targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17.

"More than 50,000 US men and women in uniform are operating across the Middle East. They remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready," said CENTCOM.

Those strikes came after CENTCOM announced that two US service members in Jordan were killed in action on Friday as the US and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing.

Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals, CENTCOM added. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.

Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in the areas of Kfar Aza and Sa'ad, located near the border with Gaza, it was determined to be a false identification, said the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced overnight that it began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran for the ninth consecutive night.

"The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz," it said.

The US military announced that human remains have been found at the site of the Iranian missile strike in Jordan.

In addition, it was reported that a US soldier was killed in northern Iraq during a controlled explosion.

Jordanian authorities evacuated Aqaba's international airport and seaport today (Sunday). Aqaba is located on the Red Sea, adjacent to the Israeli city of Eilat. The U.S. Embassy in Jordan said the evacuation was carried out in response to a "specific and credible threat."

In a statement, the embassy strongly advised American citizens to avoid traveling to the airport or seaport and to continue following the security instructions issued by Jordanian authorities. It also reiterated its existing recommendation that U.S. citizens avoid travel to military bases in Jordan.

The embassy urged U.S. citizens to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, stay away from areas with a heavy police presence, monitor local media, and follow instructions from local authorities. Travelers whose flights have been affected were advised to contact their airlines directly.

The advisory also called on Americans to exercise increased caution at locations associated with the United States, maintain a low profile, and enroll in the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides security updates and enables the embassy to contact travelers in the event of an emergency.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday that two American service members were killed in Friday's Iranian attack on Jordan and that another service member remains missing. According to American officials cited by The New York Times, dozens of additional troops were wounded.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the fatalities occurred at Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base and that U.S. officials believe Iran has improved its ability to penetrate air-defense systems by using high-speed, maneuverable missiles.

Israeli authorities have expanded efforts to counter alleged Iranian attempts to recruit Israelis as intelligence assets, including enlisting prominent rabbis to warn their communities against cooperating with Iranian operatives, according to a report by The New York Times.

Rabbi Yigal Cohen, a member of Israel's Chief Rabbinical Council with a large social media following, released a widely circulated video urging Israelis not to respond to recruitment attempts.

"Heaven forbid, there are those who cooperate with them," Rabbi Cohen said, adding that security officials had asked him to deliver the warning. He cautioned that anyone contacted by Iranian agents should avoid any cooperation, saying such actions could lead to imprisonment and severe personal consequences.

Iranian intelligence agents have been attempting to recruit Israelis primarily through online platforms, offering payment for seemingly simple assignments before requesting more sensitive activities.

Police said prosecutors have filed indictments in more than 60 cases involving soldiers and civilians from a wide range of backgrounds, including both Jewish and Arab Israelis, as well as religious and secular citizens.

"A number of suspects have been exposed for spying for the enemy," police investigator Amichai Panetta said in a statement cited by The New York Times. "Some of them carried out their deeds during wartime and helped the enemy realize its plans on Israeli soil."

Among the recent cases is a US citizen studying at a haredi yeshiva in Jerusalem who was arrested on June 9. According to the indictment, he is accused of maintaining contact with an Iranian intelligence agent and photographing sensitive sites in exchange for payment.

Israeli police said Iran intensified its recruitment efforts following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and increased them further after Israel's first offensive against Iran in June 2025.

Authorities say recruiters typically approach potential recruits through Telegram, initially offering money in exchange for photographs or videos before seeking intelligence on strategic sites and infrastructure.

Recent prosecutions have included a soldier sentenced to five years in prison after sending footage of missile interceptions to an Iranian agent during the June 2025 conflict. Other cases involve current and former soldiers, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and members of the haredi community.

Prominent haredi commentator Israel Cohen also participated in the awareness campaign by broadcasting warnings and connecting security officials with rabbis and other community leaders.

Another case involved a 22-year-old Haifa resident accused of manufacturing explosives as part of an alleged Iranian-directed plot to assassinate a senior Israeli political figure. Authorities said he also photographed Haifa Port and missile impact sites at the direction of his handlers.

Israeli authorities have also charged a reserve soldier with allegedly providing information on Iron Dome battery locations, air bases, and operating procedures to an Iranian contact.

Another indictment alleges that two Israeli Air Force technicians maintained contact with an Iranian agent for about a year and were charged with aiding the enemy.

One of the more unusual cases involves Meir Nahum, a 24-year-old computer science student from Beitar Illit, who is accused of posing as an officer in the IDF's Unit 8200 while communicating with an Iranian handler. According to prosecutors, he used artificial intelligence tools to create forged military documents and, together with his brother, supplied false information in exchange for digital currency payments totaling approximately 100,000 shekels.

Police investigator Roi Gavrieli said the brothers' motivation was financial. Their attorney, Ariel Atari, acknowledged they had contact with an Iranian agent but argued they had provided false information rather than harming Israel.

The brothers are scheduled to appear in court for another hearing on Sunday.

According to a report by the Saudi television channel Al Hadath, an Israeli security source claimed that Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is not currently in Iran. The report further alleged that statements attributed to him are actually being written by Ahmad Vahidi and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).

According to the report, the source added that internal divisions within Iran are profound and threaten the very existence of the Revolutionary Guards. He also claimed that the country's internal crisis is continuing to intensify.

The Israeli security source further claimed that Washington does not want Israel to participate in military operations against Iran, even if Iran attacks Israel.

In addition, according to the report, the source alleged that Iran had planned to assassinate Israeli figures in Tel Aviv in retaliation for the killing of Ali Khamenei.

Sources close to Khamenei have claimed in recent months that he suffered severe injuries to his face and leg but remains mentally sharp. According to those claims, he was wounded in the strike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, at the outset of Operation Roaring Lion, and has not appeared in public since.

Several months ago, Britain's The Times reported that the younger Khamenei was unconscious and that preparations were underway for his burial alongside his father in a new mausoleum that, according to the report, was being built for "more than one grave."

U.S. President Donald Trump previously commented on the strike that reportedly wounded Mojtaba and killed his father, mother, wife, and son, saying: "The Supreme Leader is dead or seriously wounded because nobody is hearing from him. Who wants to lead Iran? Nobody."

A CNN report on Saturday highlighted growing internal discord in Iran, as senior Iranian officials have come under increasing criticism from hardline factions following the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with some accusing the country's leadership of abandoning the Islamic Republic's revolutionary principles after reaching an agreement with the US.

Mourners confronted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the funeral procession in Tehran, where some chanted "death to the compromiser" as he walked beside Khamenei's coffin. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also reportedly left the funeral after demonstrators threw rocks and accused him of being a "traitorous sellout."

The criticism centers on officials involved in negotiations with the Trump administration that resulted in a ceasefire and the easing of some sanctions. Hardline groups claim the agreement contradicts the wishes of the country's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of public view since succeeding his father.

Several prominent conservatives have alleged that leading officials, including Pezeshkian, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Araghchi, are attempting to shift power away from the supreme leader and parliament.

Mahmoud Nabavian, a hardline lawmaker, publicly questioned whether a coup was underway and later declared that supporters of the late leader would oppose any such effort. Iran analyst Arash Azizi told CNN that the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei from public life has fueled accusations that Ghalibaf and his allies are effectively running the country.

The funeral also became a platform for hardline supporters calling for retaliation against the US rather than continued diplomacy. Before the recent escalation, security-linked religious singer Mohammad Ali Bakhshi publicly warned President Pezeshkian that failure to uphold the supreme leader's conditions would bring severe consequences.

Kamran Ghazanfari, another hardline parliamentarian, claimed that officials were expanding the authority of the Supreme Council for National Security while reducing the influence of both the supreme leader and parliament, describing the process as a political coup.

This week, Nabavian and another parliamentarian opposed to the US agreement were removed from the parliament's National Security Commission. Nabavian had previously criticized the negotiations and claimed the negotiating team had crossed the supreme leader's red lines.

Observers cited by CNN said Ghalibaf has sought to reduce the influence of the most hardline factions, arguing that their actions have become increasingly damaging as Iran faces continued instability.

Although hardliners retain influence in institutions including parliament and the state broadcaster, analysts quoted by CNN said Iran's leadership remains united on pursuing an end to the conflict while seeking sanctions relief and maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite that assessment, divisions within the political establishment remain visible, with hardline figures continuing to press for a more confrontational approach toward the US and Israel.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Sunday morning that its forces completed another round of strikes against Iran at the direction of US President Donald Trump.

"During the eighth consecutive night of US strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities," the statement said.

It further added that American military assets also targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces that launched attacks against US service members in Jordan on July 17.

"More than 50,000 US men and women in uniform are operating across the Middle East. They remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready," said CENTCOM.

Earlier, CENTCOM announced a new wave of airstrikes targeting sites in Iran as the operation entered its eighth consecutive day.

Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reported overnight that multiple explosions were heard in the port city of Bandar Abbas and the nearby Qeshm Island.

Later, the Iranian military announced that it is striking United States military targets within Kuwaiti territory.

The latest strikes represent a continuation of Washington's ongoing campaign against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the country's broader military infrastructure.

The latest developments underscore the growing confrontation between the United States and Iran, raising concerns that the conflict could expand across multiple fronts in the Middle East. Security analysts note that any further escalation could affect regional stability and increase tensions involving Iranian-backed proxy groups operating in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

Israel is closely monitoring the situation, as Iranian military activity and the operations of Tehran-backed organizations remain among the country's primary national security concerns. Any escalation between Washington and Tehran could have broader implications for the region and further heighten security challenges facing Israel.

At this stage, no official response has been issued by the Iranian government regarding the latest strikes. Nevertheless, regional observers are closely watching for possible developments that could influence the next phase of the confrontation between the United States and Iran.

US President Donald Trump was asked by NewsNation on Saturday about Iran’s announcement that it was no longer abiding by the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding and replied, “I couldn’t care less."

Commenting on the deaths of two US service members in Jordan, the President said it was “a very sad thing".

Trump added that the troops died “in service of our country" and reiterated that the war’s central objective is “never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

Trump’s comments came after Iranian state television published comments attributed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who said Iran would no longer honor its commitments under the MOU and stated that Trump’s signature is “worthless and invalid."

Iran’s announcement followed a seventh night of US strikes against targets in Iran, as Iran continues to violate the ceasefire agreement with the US and attacks commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the US military strikes on Iran, Trump has insisted that Iran wants to reach a deal with his administration, though he has also warned that US strikes on Iran will increase and target key infrastructure unless the Iranians engage in serious negotiations for a deal.

Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned on Friday that if the United States continues striking Iran for another two to three days, the country will enter an "offensive and destructive" phase.

Speaking with state-run IRIB TV, Rezaei stated that the policy of "both war and negotiation" has ended.

He further threatened that if US attacks continue, Iran's armed forces will no longer limit themselves to retaliatory strikes, and US bases and forces will no longer be safe within any political borders.

The US State Department on Saturday issued a Worldwide Caution alert for US citizens, citing “heightened tensions in the Middle East."

“Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the alert stated. 

“We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments. The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution," it added.

US citizens abroad were urged to “follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate."

Flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions. US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world," the State Department alert said.

The alert came as US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new wave of airstrikes targeting sites in Iran as the operation entered its eighth consecutive day.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes were carried out under the direction of US President Donald Trump and are intended to degrade Iran's military capabilities while reducing its ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important maritime trade routes.

Earlier on Saturday, CENTCOM announced that two US service members in Jordan were killed Friday in action as CENTCOM and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing.

Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals, CENTCOM added. They have since been discharged.

Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.

Israel's defense establishment is considering imposing broad restrictions on the use of civilian drones in Israeli airspace amid growing concerns over the expanding threat posed by Iran and its regional proxies.

The proposal is being examined as part of preparations for a range of security scenarios, after unmanned aerial vehicles have become one of the primary weapons used by the Iranian-led terror axis.

The issue has already been discussed by the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, after defense officials presented ministers with an assessment of the drone threat and the operational challenges it poses. No final decision has yet been made, but defense officials are continuing to evaluate various options.

Security officials say one of the main challenges is the ability to detect and intercept small drones with a low radar signature in real time. Such drones can carry explosives or be used for intelligence gathering. Past experience has shown that Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups have already employed such drones in attempts to attack IDF forces and strategic targets.

Israeli officials assess that in the event of a broader conflict, Iran could activate its proxies simultaneously from multiple fronts - including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the Gaza Strip - in an effort to overwhelm Israel's air defense systems with a combination of missiles, rockets, and explosive drones. Israel is therefore working to adapt its defense strategy and prepare for smaller, harder-to-detect aerial threats.

The defense establishment is examining whether restricting civilian drone operations would help reduce opportunities for hostile actors and enable security forces to more quickly identify any unauthorized aircraft entering Israeli airspace. Such measures could also reduce the risk of civilian drones being exploited for espionage, intelligence gathering, or terrorist attacks.

At the same time, officials acknowledge that any such restrictions would affect a wide range of civilian drone operators, including photographers, media organizations, farmers, infrastructure companies, and licensed drone pilots. If approved, the policy is expected to include detailed regulations and a mechanism allowing essential operations to continue with authorization from the relevant authorities.

IDF soldiers on Saturday identified a Hezbollah drone in the area of Tebnit in southern Lebanon.

Following the identification, the Israeli Air Force conducted searches in the area and identified a Hezbollah terrorist cell that had been operating drones and taking cover near the Security Zone and IDF soldiers.

Shortly after, the IDF struck the terrorists in order to remove the threat posed to the IDF soldiers operating nearby.

"The terrorists' actions constitute a violation of the ceasefire understandings," the IDF said in a statement, promising, "The IDF will continue to operate to remove threats to IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians."

Last month, an explosive drone detonated near a Givati Brigade Combat Team tank in the Kfar Tebnit area of southern Lebanon. Shrapnel from the explosion injured four soldiers, who were airlifted to receive medical treatment at a hospital.

Several minutes later, an additional drone exploded on the evacuation vehicle. As a result, another soldier was injured. He, too, was evacuated by helicopter.

During the incident, a total of five soldiers were evacuated for medical treatment.

In a second incident, a suspicious target, either a drone or an anti-tank missile, struck a 52nd Battalion tank that was operating under the command of the Givati Brigade Combat Team in Kfar Tebnit, killing four IDF soldiers.

A Lebanese Army soldier was killed and two others were wounded earlier Saturday after a Lebanese military vehicle struck an explosive device in the Al-Mansouri area of southern Lebanon.

"Earlier today (Saturday), a Lebanese Army vehicle drove over an explosive device in southern Lebanon," the IDF confirmed. "As a result, a Lebanese Army soldier was killed, and two additional soldiers were injured."

"Following a review, it was determined that the explosive device did not belong to the IDF and was most likely placed in the area by the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

"The incident occurred in the area of Al-Mansouri, within the Security Zone in southern Lebanon. In this area, IDF soldiers have not been present recently."

The IDF added, "It should be noted that the Lebanese Army vehicle entered the Security Zone without prior coordination with the IDF, as required according to the existing coordination mechanism."

"The IDF calls on the Lebanese civilians and the forces present in the area to avoid entering areas where Hezbollah continues to pose a threat and to coordinate movements in advance, as required, for their safety."

Amid rising security tensions in the Middle East and continued coordination between Israel and the United States, the IDF confirmed that additional US Air Force aerial refueling aircraft will be deployed to Israel.

Unlike previous deployments, the aircraft will not be stationed at Ben Gurion International Airport but at military air bases to avoid disrupting civilian air traffic.

In a statement, the IDF said, "The American partner has decided to adjust its force posture in the region, and in coordination with the IDF, it was decided to add additional refueling aircraft to the existing fleet already stationed in Israel."

The IDF added that the decision to base the aircraft at Israeli Air Force facilities was made for both operational reasons and to minimize the impact on operations at Ben Gurion Airport.

Meanwhile, the US is deploying additional aerial refueling aircraft to the Middle East, while reports indicate that American fighter jets are also heading to the region via Europe.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced last week that no additional refueling aircraft would be permitted to park at Ben Gurion Airport, while defense officials stressed that the deployment is essential for strengthening regional deterrence and defense.

The US military presently maintains approximately 30 refuelers at Ben Gurion International Airport and another 30 at Ramon Air Base in southern Israel. The incoming aircraft would restore American refueling capabilities in the country to levels maintained at the onset of the conflict. According to Axios, US Central Command favors operating out of Ben Gurion Airport due to superior infrastructure and security compared to other regional facilities that face higher vulnerability to Iranian fire.

Earlier this week, the Israel Airports Authority warned that unless the aircraft are moved according to the agreed plan, a severe shortage of parking spots for commercial airliners is expected beginning July 23. Such a shortage could potentially force the cancellation of around 10 flights per day, affecting approximately 50,000 airline tickets by the end of the month.

Two US service members in Jordan were killed Friday in action as US Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing, CENTCOM announced Saturday evening.

Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals, CENTCOM added. They have since been discharged.

Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.

The statement stressed, "Out of respect for the families, CENTCOM will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that its forces launched a round of strikes against Iran for the seventh consecutive night.

"The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief's direction," it stated.

About two hours before CENTCOM’s official announcement, Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Residents also reported hearing explosions in Bushehr province and Sirik, with additional reports of blasts on Qeshm Island.

Later, a senior US official told Channel 12 News that Iran launched a ballistic missile toward a US base in Saudi Arabia. The official did not specify whether anyone was injured.

Explosions were also heard in Jordan and in Kuwait.

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, where they are being written now.

Updates will resume Saturday night from Israel, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 20:26 Jerusalem time.

Shabbat Shalom!

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that its forces launched a round of strikes against Iran for the seventh consecutive night.

"The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief's direction," it stated.

About two hours before CENTCOM’s official announcement, Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Residents also reported hearing explosions in Bushehr province and Sirik, with additional reports of blasts on Qeshm Island.

Later, a senior US official told Channel 12 News that Iran launched a ballistic missile toward a US base in Saudi Arabia. The official did not specify whether anyone was injured.

Explosions were also heard in Jordan and in Kuwait.

On Thursday night, CENTCOM completed a major wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth night in a row, noting that fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities.

Iranian media reported that the US strikes targeted a wide range of objectives, including Iranshahr Airport. Further reports indicated that the bridge connecting Bandar Abbas and Shiraz was attacked, as was a railway station in Bandar Abbas.

CENTCOM later stated that US forces destroyed a surveillance tower at the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port in Iran.

The tower was part of a maritime surveillance network along Iran’s Gulf of Oman coastline that was used for decades by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor commercial vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the statement said.

The strike has reduced the IRGC’s ability to coordinate attacks against civilian maritime crews and was carried out to protect freedom of navigation in regional waters, according to US forces.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, warned on Friday that if the United States continues striking Iran for another two to three days, the country will enter an "offensive and destructive" phase.

Speaking with state-run IRIB TV, Rezaei stated that the policy of "both war and negotiation" has ended.

He further threatened that if US attacks continue, Iran's armed forces will no longer limit themselves to retaliatory strikes, and US bases and forces will no longer be safe within any political borders.

Meanwhile on Friday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces launched a round of strikes against Iran for the seventh consecutive night.

"The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities at the Commander in Chief's direction," it stated.

About two hours before CENTCOM’s official announcement, Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Residents also reported hearing explosions in Bushehr province and Sirik, with additional reports of blasts on Qeshm Island.

On Thursday night, CENTCOM completed a major wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth night in a row, noting that fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities.

Iranian media reported that the US strikes targeted a wide range of objectives, including Iranshahr Airport. Further reports indicated that the bridge connecting Bandar Abbas and Shiraz was attacked, as was a railway station in Bandar Abbas.

CENTCOM later stated that US forces destroyed a surveillance tower at the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port in Iran.

Despite the US military strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump has insisted that Iran wants to reach a deal with his administration, though he has also warned that US strikes on Iran will increase and target key infrastructure unless the Iranians engage in serious negotiations for a deal.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Iran said on Friday that the navy of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted a Thai-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports in Iranian media claimed that the vessel was targeted after it "ignored warnings and attempted to transit without obtaining permission."

A video published by IRGC-affiliated media appeared to show damage to the vessel.

Later, after the US launched strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive day, the Iranian army’s public relations office said that the navy fired a shore-to-sea cruise missile toward a US vessel in the northern Indian Ocean.

On Tuesday, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, said that Iran intentionally attacked seven commercial ships over the past seven days, resulting in “nearly a dozen" civilian crew members being killed, injured or going missing.

“Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries," Cooper said in a statement posted on social media.

He stressed that “US forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives."

CENTCOM resumed the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas on Tuesday. This occurred hours after US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open to international shipping but that a full blockade will be imposed on vessels connected to Iranian ports or Iranian cargo.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Washington has informed Israeli officials that it plans to deploy dozens of additional aerial refueling aircraft to the country as President Donald Trump reviews options for an expanded military campaign against Tehran, according to a Friday report by Axios.

The notification follows a White House Situation Room briefing where the administration evaluated broader strategic plans that go significantly beyond recent operations focused around the Strait of Hormuz. Potential targets currently under review include Iranian civil power grids, deeper strikes on nuclear infrastructure to further entrench enriched uranium stockpiles, and targeting a suspected underground location at Pickaxe Mountain, according to the report by Barak Ravid.

While no final directive has been issued, American and Israeli sources indicate an expanded offensive could be authorized within days. The objective remains pressuring the regime into reopening vital maritime shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and accepting US nuclear terms.

The potential expansion comes after five consecutive days of US air operations. American aircraft recently hit seven bridges surrounding Bandar Abbas - a primary logistical hub for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - disrupting supply routes across the region. Concurrently, Iranian forces have intensified strikes targeting American positions across Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, while the IRGC claimed a strike on an abandoned US installation in Syria.

The US military presently maintains approximately 30 refuelers at Ben Gurion International Airport and another 30 at Ramon Air Base in southern Israel. The incoming aircraft would restore American refueling capabilities in the country to levels maintained at the onset of the conflict. According to Axios, US Central Command favors operating out of Ben Gurion Airport due to superior infrastructure and security compared to other regional facilities that face higher vulnerability to Iranian fire.

The military footprint at Ben Gurion Airport has generated political friction in Jerusalem. While the heavy presence of tanker planes caused minimal disruption when Israeli airspace was previously shut down, normal summer travel has resumed. Transportation Minister Miri Regev has advocated for capping or relocating the US aircraft to prevent widespread commercial flight cancellations - a scenario that could carry heavy political costs ahead of upcoming elections.

However, Israel's Defense Ministry and military leadership have opposed moving the aircraft, citing operational necessities. With Washington formally requesting full accommodation for the incoming fleet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to make the final determination.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

In an official statement, the US military said it destroyed the naval observation tower at Chabahar port.

According to the statement, the tower had been used for decades by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor and attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military said its destruction weakens Iran’s ability to coordinate attacks and helps protect freedom of navigation.

Lebanese Army forces entered the villages of Firon and Deir Qanoun, two villages located outside the security zone, as part of the first pilot area under the Israel-Lebanon agreement. The purpose of the deployment is to work toward demilitarizing the area of Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure.